Tangled In Your Web

[Orphanage]

“Yuki..! The driver’s already here, you’re going to be late!”

Sister Marie’s voice echoed from downstairs, calm as always. Too calm, considering my current state of chaos.

“I’m coming..! I’m coming!” I yelled back, hopping on one foot while wrestling with my shoe.

Oh my goodness. I’m such a mess.

I had overslept. Again. Which meant my packing turned into a disaster zone of folded clothes, unfolded clothes, and clothes that somehow ended up under my bed.

Today was the day I was leaving the orphanage. The day I’d been waiting for, and somehow I was still running late.

Today, I was moving into Sister Marie’s home.

Well… technically, her younger sister’s home. She and her husband had kindly agreed to take me in so I could attend college. A simple request from Sister Marie, she’d said. But to me, it felt like the biggest miracle of my life.

I’d lived in this orphanage since I was five. I hadn’t really seen the world beyond its gates. Everything felt exciting and terrifying all at once.

What if I get do something wrong? What if I say the wrong thing? What if I trip in front of everyone?

“This shoe…” I muttered, tugging at it stubbornly.

A second later, gravity betrayed me.

“Aghhh!”

I fell backward and landed right on my butt.

Perfect. Absolutely perfect.

“Yuki, are you okay?” Sister Marie asked, rushing into my room with concern written all over her face.

“I’m fine! I’m fine!” I said quickly, scrambling to my feet like nothing had happened.

She raised a brow, clearly unconvinced. “Being clumsy again?”

I laughed nervously and spun around in a dramatic twirl. “All done! See?”

She sighed, but smiled anyway. “Alright. Now get going. They’re probably waiting for you.”

I grabbed my bag and hurried downstairs, nearly tripping again but catching myself just in time. Progress.

The driver stood near the door, tall and polite, dressed neatly in a black suit.

“Good morning, Miss Yuki,” he greeted with a bow.

“Oh! Good morning!” I bowed even lower.

He chuckled softly. “You don’t have to do that.”

My face heated up as he took my bags and stepped outside.

Sister Marie turned to me then, holding my hands tightly between hers.

“Yuki, remember everything I’ve told you.”

I nodded, even before she started.

“Always be respectful,” she said gently. “Always say thank you. Be honest. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Eat properly. Rest well. And if you ever need anything, you ask.”

“I know, I know,” I said quickly, smiling. “Be polite, be kind and be a good girl. I remember it all.”

She laughed softly, eyes warm. “I hope you have a wonderful life at your new home and at your new school.”

“Thank you, Sister Marie,” I said, hugging her tightly.

She kissed the top of my head. “Run along now.”

I stepped outside, then turned back, waving excitedly.

“Bye..! Bye everyone!”

“BYE, YUKI!!!!!” the kids shouted in unison, some waving, some jumping, some probably louder than necessary.

I laughed, waving until my arms hurt.

As the car pulled away, I pressed my forehead to the window, my heart pounding with excitement.

I had no idea what awaited me out there.

••

The car finally came to a stop.

I stepped out… and froze.

The house in front of me wasn’t just big.

It was huge.

Like, movies-are-filmed-here huge.

My neck tilted back slowly as my eyes traced the tall gates, the wide driveway, and the mansion-like building standing proudly in front of me.

My brain stopped working somewhere between the marble pillars and the massive glass doors.

Is this really a house… or did I accidentally arrive at a palace?

Before I could process anything further, the doors swung open.

“Welcome home, Miss Yuki.”

I startled so badly I nearly jumped out of my skin.

A line of maids stood perfectly aligned inside the entrance, all bowing their heads toward me.

“Oh my goodness!” I gasped. “N-nice to meet you!”

I bowed so fast I almost gave myself whiplash.

From somewhere above, I heard a soft chuckle.

I lifted my head just in time to see an elegant woman descending the staircase.

That had to be her.

Lydia.

Sister Marie’s younger sister.

“You don’t have to do that,” she said kindly, smiling at me.

“G-good morning, ma’am,” I greeted nervously.

She reached me in just a few steps and, before I could react, pulled me into a warm hug.

My eyes widened.

“Good morning, dear,” she said gently. “But for correction… I’d love it if you called me Mom.”

Mom.

I’d never thought I’d be able to say that word again. I didn’t even remember my real parents. All I knew was that I had been found dumped outside the orphanage years ago.

And now someone was asking me to call her Mom.

“Thank you…” I whispered, my voice trembling just a little. Then I smiled.

“Thank you, Mom.”

Her smile widened instantly.

“That’s my girl,” She said happily.

She guided me inside, one hand resting on my back as if I truly belonged there.

“My husband is usually away on business,” she explained. “He travels a lot, but he’ll be absolutely thrilled to meet you when he’s back.”

I nodded politely, still distracted by the enormous chandelier above us.

“And my son,” she continued, amusement lacing her voice. “Ah… he’s a real menace.”

I blinked.

“But don’t worry,” she added quickly. “You two will get along just fine.”

I smiled, though something about the way she said menace made me a little curious… and slightly scared.

“Oh!” She paused and looked at me. “How old are you, Yuki?”

“I’m seventeen,” I answered.

Her eyes lit up. “Really? Wow! My son is only two years older. He just turned nineteen last week.”

That’s close…

Before I could think too much about it, she clapped her hands lightly.

“Alright,” Lydia said, turning to the maids. “Please make sure Yuki’s things are taken to her room and everything is properly arranged.”

“Yes, ma’am,” they replied in perfect unison.

She turned back to me. “Why don’t you give yourself a little tour? Make yourself comfortable. This is your home now.”

My heart fluttered.

“M-my home…” I repeated softly.

••

I wandered deeper into the house, my footsteps echoing softly against polished floors.

Everywhere looked… unreal.

I turned a corner, then paused.

I wonder what this room is?

Curiosity won.

I reached for the handle and pushed the door open.

“Oh—”

It was a gym.

Not a small one or a normal one.

This gym alone was almost the size of the orphanage.

My mouth fell open as I stood still, eyes darting from the massive mirrors to the equipment neatly arranged around the room.

“Who are you?”

The voice came from behind me.

I startled and spun around too fast, only to bump straight into something solid.

“Ahh!”

I lost my balance, my feet slipping—

But I never hit the floor.

An arm wrapped securely around my waist, pulling me back just in time. I gasped, instinctively grabbing onto the nearest thing...him.

His other hand braced against the doorframe above my head, trapping me between his body and the wall.

Too close.

Way too close.

My heart slammed wildly against my chest.

Is this him?

Lydia’s son?

Slowly, I lifted my gaze.

Dark hair, slightly damp as if he’d been working out. Sharp features, piercings glinting faintly under the lights. Tattoos traced along his arm, disappearing beneath the sleeve of his shirt.

He looked nothing like anyone I’d ever known.

And then I realized..

My hands were resting flat against his bare chest.

Oh no.

Heat rushed straight to my face.

“Are you… Yuki?” He asked, his voice low.

He has such a deep voice.

I nodded quickly, unable to trust my voice.

My heart was beating so fast I was sure he could feel it.

I had never been this close to a boy my age. Ever.

My cheeks burned as I tried to step back, but his arm was still around my waist. His eyes didn’t leave mine.

He leaned closer, just enough that I could feel his breath.

“You’re even prettier than I imagined, Yuki.”

My breath hitched.

“Th… thank you,” I mumbled, looking down, mortified.

He chuckled softly, almost to himself.

Even that sound made my chest flutter.

“Can you let go now?” I asked, barely above a whisper.

“Sure,” he said easily.

But he didn’t move.

Instead, his hand lifted, fingers brushing my chin gently, almost hesitant, tilting my face upward.

My mind screamed.

What is happening?

This isn’t real. This can’t be real.

His dark eyes held mine, intense gaze.

And then, I felt it.

He kissed me.

My thoughts scattered, my heart nearly leaping out of my chest.

This is my first kiss.

This is...this is..

I reacted without thinking.

I bit his lip lightly and pushed him away, stumbling back in shock.

He stared at me for a second and then he grinned.

My face burned hotter than ever as I turned and ran out of the gym.

I ran as fast as my legs could carry me. My first kiss had been stolen by a stranger.

By a boy way too dangerous for my heart.